The Royal Oak, Handsworth, Birmingham

Rebuilt pub, set back from the road a bit by a plain terrace area. The L-shaped interior has been opened out and comprehensively modernised throughout. General seating (and plenty of sports TV screens) in the corner section, with busy dining areas at both extremities. No real ale unfortunately, but Banks's Mild (£3.40) available from amongst the many keg taps.

Official site of The Royal Oak - www.theroyaloakbham.co.uk

Official site of The Royal Oak - www.theroyaloakbham.co.uk

Nearest pub to the Baggies.... I've never been, considering it too rough! However, I noticed it on a web list of pub recommendations and went to investigate, joyous at a 2-0 win and not brave enough to face the packed trains. What a transformation - its been re-modelled as a Desi Pub. Loads of tables, giant TV screens and an app to order food. Barwise - huge number of staff, which enabled them to get through the post match throngs quickly. Everyone has the same idea. No cask on (that I noticed) but nowt too wrong with a Staropramen. It will be my usual post match haunt.

This is detached pub and eatery with rear area. It is a 1930s rebuild of a pub on the same site. It is in plain brick, a symmetrical winged-corridor type of building. The interior has been completely knocked through into one massive L-shaped room. It is in coffee and white, with some fake beams. The walls are bare. There is a pool table at one end and there are several TVs which were showing the darts. The music was fairly loud Bhangra stuff. The seating has brown bench seats and foody table - as such, the place does reasonably priced food, but i didn't eat. The service was functional and a few locals were in - i felt it was a little unfriendly at first, until i chose the locked door to get out and several people laughingly pointed me to the right one. Beer; no rela ale, just usual taps with a decent enough keg Banks's MILD. A run-of-the-mill pub, nothing for the real ale fan.